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Pool users complain
Two users of the Woy Woy pool have said that the proposed new aquatic and leisure centre as planned will provide a lower level of service to the general swimming public than the present facility.
However, Cr Lynne Bockholt has described the complaints as nonsense.
One pool user, Mr David Casey, approached Peninsula News with his impression of the proposed changes.
"A the moment, we have a seven-lane outdoor 50-metre pool, a six-lane indoor 25-metre heated lap pool, a 12-metre learn-to-swim pool and a 25-metre three-lane hydrotherapy pool.
"These pools are all heated to different temperatures to suit the needs of their users.
"The four pools we now have will be replaced by two pools, an eight-lane 50-metre heated indoor pool and a two-lane 25-metre indoor pool, effectively eliminating the hydrotherapy and learn-to-swim pools," Mr Casey said.
Swimming instructor Mr John Chivers told Peninsula News that the proposed centre would disadvantage the majority of pool users.
"Of pool users, 80 to 85 per cent are not competitive swimmers.
"They are individual recreation and fitness users who will not be well served by the current plans as they lack the function of the existing complex," Mr Chivers said.
Cr Lynne Bockholt said that both the Central Coast Swimming Association and the Woy Woy Swimming Club supported the changes in the new centre.
"The pool is in a terrible state at the moment.
"The heating is coal-fired.
"It uses domestic equipment for a public swimming pool.
"It's just awful," Cr Bockholt said.
Mr Chivers also claimed that councillors and council staff dismissed his claims about the centre not serving swimmers adequately at the recent council public meeting to discuss the Draft City Management Plan.
"We endeavoured to point out the problems with the plan at the meetings in Woy Woy and Umina and we were told that the new complex will function to the same level as the present one, even though it is obvious that it will not.
"A letter outlining outcomes and comments sent out to all participants at the meetings makes no mention of the heated discussion of what the new centre will entail, which took place at both meetings.
"It has not been included where it should be in the section marked 'Views expressed by the community'," Mr Chivers said.
A letter from the Mayor, Cr Robert Bell, to Mr Chivers stated: "Council's proposal for a comprehensive leisure facility seeks to provide facilities for the whole community including families, women, older adults, children and people with disabilities.
"These groups have not enjoyed access to such facilities on the Peninsula in the past."
Another letter to Mr Chivers from council director of community services Mr Phil Rowland said that the council must balance the needs of the community.
The new aquatic and leisure centre would provide a higher standard of facility for a wider cross section of the community than that which existed at the present centre, he said.
Jonathan Reichard, May 21